Chapter 401: Chapter 346: Three Immortals Bestow Leadership, Finally Seeing Fengdu_2
Heavenly Master Zhang took a step forward and approached the dharma altar prepared by his subordinates.
Treading in Gang Step, he muttered incantations under his breath.
Not long after, a vibrant cloud appeared from the west, standing upon it a towering and majestic Golden-armored General surrounded by an army of a hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers.
This deity was none other than Marshal Zhao, the Day God.
Marshal Zhao led the Heavenly Soldiers and the navy into fierce battle.
Jin Bifeng poured water from his bowl, and the torrents collapsed half of the enemy fleet.
The tide of war suddenly turned against them.
No matter how mighty the army, it cannot resist the force of a single powerful spell.
Defeated, the Third Prince stood atop the waves, his expression sorrowful and despondent as he glared at the Ming Army. With a bitter smile, he uttered:
"The Emperor above has forsaken my kingdom!"
Saying this, he drew his sword and took his own life.
His loyal guards cried out in grief and followed him into death.
Zheng He dispatched someone to sever the Third Prince’s head and sent a commander to hold up the head before the southern forces, shouting:
"The Third Prince is dead! Why don’t you surrender now?"
The opposing general saw the severed head of the Third Prince, his face ashen, and declared:
"With the Third Prince dead, how can I live alone?"
The Great General unsheathed his treasure sword and looked to his gathered soldiers.
"Make sure to inform the King: Central Earth is mighty. Do not rashly provoke conflict. Even if war is waged, do not go unprepared. To the west of Geci Country, at Red Luo Mountain, there are three immortals—Golden Horn Immortal, Silver Horn Immortal, and Lupi Immortal. These three possess unparalleled mastery in spells and boundless abilities. If their aid can be won, then the East’s forces can be challenged! Let the glory of Geci shine bright!"
Having spoken, the General disregarded his soldiers’ attempts to stop him and took his own life with the blade.
The forces of the Golden Eye Country crumbled like a collapsing mountain.
Only a small band managed to escape to the Imperial Palace.
Within the golden-domed palace, seated on an ornate throne was a middle-aged man with red hair and a golden crown.
The King held a scepter, surrounded by his loyal barbarian generals and ministers.
The Crown Prince had set out on an expedition, soon to return victorious.
The court officials filled the room, the King’s spirit soared with pride.
His invincible navy served as his sword; his civil and military ministers as his shield.
His kingdom ruled supreme over the world, his reputation destined to resonate for millennia, forevermore.
"Report! The Crown Prince and the Prince Consort have been defeated and killed!"
A messenger reported, and the King spat blood, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Impossible!"
A thousand warships, an army of a hundred thousand sailors, five thousand cannons—gone, just like that?
His unbeatable navy...
Thinking of this, the King spat another mouthful of blood.
The entire court fell into shock.
Facing the advancing Ming Army, they had no choice but to seek out the Three Immortals.
The Three Immortals initially intended to refuse.
But as soon as they heard the names of Randeng Buddha Jin Bifeng, Zhang Yinhua of Dragon Tiger Mountain, and Ziwei War God Song Lin...
Their interest was piqued.
Golden Horn Immortal turned to his companions and said, "Today is the time for our names to shine! Their Taoist Skills are exceptional. We shall not engage them in deadly combat; rather, let us compete in the manner we excel. No death in defeat, yet victory brings us everlasting glory."
"Brilliant!"
The three approached the King, then proposed their challenge.
The Great Ming Fleet.
"A competition? Interesting, we accept." Heavenly Master Zhang said with a smile.
Above the sea, a cloud arose, taking the form of a platform.
The leaders and ministers from both sides locked eyes across the expanse.
Across, three immortals walked onto the vast cloud stage, their celestial bearing evident.
Among them stood Golden Horn, Silver Horn, and the unmistakable Lupi Taoist.
"Two wins out of three; the loser surrenders."
"Agreed."
Heavenly Master Zhang stepped forward, scanning the three facing him.
"Who shall be first?"
The three immortals were all at the tribulation crossing stage.
Only Heavenly Master Zhang had yet to reach this stage.
Lupi Immortal, whose spotted face marked him as cunning, decided to take advantage and leaped forward.
"Me!"
Lupi Immortal cast a silver hook, aiming straight for Heavenly Master Zhang’s neck.
The Heavenly Master used a Chop Talisman to transform into a shield, blocking the hook.
The silver hook morphed into a spear, piercing through the shield, then multiplied into countless projectiles, launching from all directions to enclose the Heavenly Master.
Heavenly Master Zhang turned the Chop Talisman into a sword, planting beans that transformed into soldiers.
An unyielding army countered the incoming spears without regard for life.
Lupi Immortal’s Ruyi Silver Hook morphed into various weapons, attacking from different directions and in ever-changing forms.
Each attack was fended off by Heavenly Master Zhang.
"Had enough?"
Heavenly Master Zhang chuckled lightly.
The Four Marshals leaped forth in unison.
In one swift move, they apprehended Lupi Immortal.
The first match was won.
Heavenly Master Zhang stepped back beside Song Lin, while the marshals restrained Lupi Immortal.
"Showing off in front of masters."
Song Lin chuckled.
If it were a life-and-death battle, an evenly matched fight might ensue.
But to pit spells against these masters of renowned sects?
Courting death!
Next was Silver Horn Immortal.
Jin Bifeng stepped forward to face him.
Silver Horn Immortal produced a magical gourd, from which emerged a bronze umbrella.
The bronze umbrella expanded with the wind, blocking out the sky.
With a sudden contraction, it emitted a tremendous suction force, attempting to draw Jin Bifeng into its confines.
Jin Bifeng manifested the Infinite Brightness Dharma Body.
Steadfast and immovable.
"This..."
Silver Horn Immortal panicked.
Though his sky-covering umbrella could engulf an entire nation, it failed against Jin Bifeng.
"Amitabha Buddha."
Bang!
His enormous bowl flipped over, and instead, Silver Horn Immortal was trapped by Jin Bifeng.
"Unfair! Start over! It’s unfair!"
Golden Horn screamed, his face contorted.
"Does the noble Immortal wish to break his word?"
Jin Bifeng’s gaze firmly locked onto Golden Horn, as did Song Lin’s.
Breaking the rules would mean the masters wouldn’t adhere to them either.
"Unfair! Fine, then. I declare this round mine. You surrender, and release my two brothers."
Golden Horn turned to Song Lin with a taunting expression, "Do you dare?"
"Why not?"
Song Lin chuckled lightly, then leaped onto the platform.
"Tell me, how do you wish to compete?"
Song Lin folded his arms, watching Golden Horn Immortal with amused interest.
This one clearly had a hidden trump card up his sleeve.
Golden Horn Immortal smirked, his scheme evident.
"Very simple. You chop off my head, then I chop off yours. Whoever doesn’t die wins. To be fair, you may go first."
Saying this, Golden Horn extended his neck.
Jin Bifeng and Heavenly Master Zhang exchanged puzzled glances.
So this was Golden Horn Immortal’s grand strategy?
"Alright."
Song Lin conjured a steel saber and stepped forward, severing Golden Horn’s head in one stroke.
Whoa!
The crowd gasped in astonishment, the barbarian King’s heart clenched.
Did the State Preceptor truly have what it took?
Golden Horn’s head rolled onto the ground, without spilling a single drop of blood, winking cheekily at Song Lin.
His headless body picked up the severed head, reattaching it with a laugh, "Now it’s my turn! You can surrender early if you wish."
Golden Horn drew forth a dazzling treasure saber—none other than the Sun Gold Treasure Saber, capable of wounding one’s Divine Soul.
With a single strike from this blade, even the most adept in Taoist Skill would face annihilation, body and soul.
Golden Horn had used this very trick to trap countless victims.
"Come. Stand still, let me chop."
Song Lin lowered his head.
Golden Horn swung ferociously, cleaving downward.
Clang!
Fiery sparks erupted; not a scratch was dealt.
"What?"
Golden Horn, unwilling to accept, swung repeatedly, his hands numbed and the treasure saber chipped, yet Song Lin’s neck remained impervious.
"No..."
"Unfair? Alright, I won’t resist."
Song Lin declared abruptly.
Snap!
Golden Horn Immortal swung again.
Song Lin’s head flew off instantly.
Golden Horn darted forward, hacking the severed head into pieces.
"Ha! You’ve fallen into my trap..."
Mid-sentence, Golden Horn choked up.
Song Lin’s head regenerated once more, and he gazed at Golden Horn with a grin.
"You seem dissatisfied? Let’s continue!"
Snap!
Snap!
...
For dozens of rounds, Song Lin’s head was crushed and grew anew, countless times, leaving Golden Horn drenched in sweat and utterly drained.
"What sort of Demon Art is this?"
Song Lin remained silent, drawing forth the Emperor Sword. Its golden brilliance outshone all else.
"Now, it’s my turn!"
"No!"
Golden Horn Immortal attempted to escape but was surrounded by seventy-two clones of Song Lin.
Seventy-two Emperor Swords descended in unison.
The serenity sword energy that governs nations crushed him completely into dust.
With the Three Immortals slain, the Golden Eye Country surrendered.
The Western Ocean’s once-dominant nation crumbled, wholly submitting to the Ming Army. Mountains of gold and silver were loaded onto treasure ships, expanding the fleet to two thousand vessels.
Yet still, the Imperial Jade Seal remained unfound.
Marshal Zheng He appeared visibly disheartened.
"Years away from home... When will this journey end?"
Jin Bifeng offered comfort, "Do not lose hope. The Jade Seal is likely in Fengdu Ghost Country. We are not far from Fengdu Ghost Country now; it’s just a matter of a few years."
Sails were raised.
Everyone set aside their feelings, brimming with hope as they pressed onward.
Three months passed, and a land of eternal darkness loomed ahead.
One side bathed in daylight, the other cloaked in perpetual night.
The sight was utterly extraordinary.
Song Lin’s expression grew solemn as they finally laid eyes upon Fengdu Ghost Country. The Western Ocean Record’s tale was nearing its end.